Kanpur Police arrested two individuals for their alleged involvement in coercing people belonging to Vanchit communities into religious conversions for financial gain on Sunday. Police apprehended the suspects after intercepting two buses carrying over 110 passengers from Nawabganj to neighbouring Unnao.
Colonelganj Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mahesh Kumar said that they initiated the investigation after acting on a tip-off. He stated that authorities set up barricades at the Ganga barrage and halted two buses, which were travelling to Unnao.
Initial questioning revealed that passengers from various locations, including Nawabganj and Armapore Kohna, were being transported to a church in Unnao for a large-scale religious conversion. Upon examining the documents of passengers, the police filed FIRs for attempted religious conversion and the investigation has been initiated, reported news agency IANS.
"The police arrested two persons, who allegedly targeted impoverished and Dalit communities, coercing them into converting their religion for money,'' a senior official said.
Among the passengers was Sanjay Valmiki, a resident of Armapore. He filed a complaint with the police, alleging that Simon William and Deepak Morris, residents of Avas Vikas Kalyanpur and Vishnupuri Nawabganj, respectively), coerced him into converting to Christianity. The suspects reportedly promised Sanjay reunification with his estranged wife and children, along with incentives such as Rs 50,000, employment and medical treatment.
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Based on Sanjay’s complaint, the police filed First Information Reports (FIRs) against Simon William and Deepak Morris under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act 2021. Both accused are currently in custody and are undergoing questioning by the authorities.